Liberi Reader

EVERYONE!! ARE YOU READY?!!

The greatest collaborative concert of the Obsidian Festival will begin in just three hours!

WOOOOOOOOOO!!!

It's about time. As long as Schwarz and Rhodes Island can fight each other to a standstill, things will go smoothly here.

I knew pitting them against each other would be a masterful move. Heh.

Hurry up! Move these things out of here! Pick up the pace, or you won't be seeing your paychecks!

Hmm? What's that sound coming from outside?

Doctor, if we just rush into the broadcast tower, I'm sure we'll run straight into Cronin's ambush.

If we move together, Schwarz will definitely try to disarm your forces first, and I won't be able to contain her at all.

Even if we seize the broadcast tower by force, without the support of the government, my words will only confuse the public and cause panic.

If Schwarz is protecting Cronin, that will prove to be a major obstacle for you.

Most importantly, you'll have to figure out a way to find out whatever Cronin is hiding.

Maybe Cronin really is innocent, but...

In that case, we'd just force him to announce the news?

Right. If that's what it boils down to, I don't mind using force, since I was thinking the same thing.

That takes some guts, Miss Ceylon. Maybe even borders on reckless.

Rhodes Island has already proven my conclusion through their lab tests. If I don't do this, countless lives are going to be lost here.

I'm not trying to blame you, Miss. I just don't get to decide whether Rhodes Island can go along with your plan.

Do you mean...

Doctor. You should be well aware of our options as well as their consequences. What should we do?

So, who will take responsibility for this?

That's our Doctor.

Miss Ceylon, let's go before it's too late.

Doctor...

I understand. I'll hold Schwarz back.

Besides, there's something I must do. I need to know the answer...

Schwarz...

Why are you pushing me away?

...

Milady, you've received an education in Victoria. You belong somewhere better. Don't stay here and struggle with people like us.

...No. I don't agree with that.

Schwarz, what do you think I see you as? And what do you think of me as?

I am not the person you think I am, milady.

Because you've killed someone?

...

Because you've killed many people?

No, milady. That's enough.

Perhaps we're both mistaken, Schwarz.

I don't want you to know about that, milady!

Sorry.

...Milady?

I already know. I've already heard about your past... even if it's just a little bit of it.

I'm sorry if you didn't want me to learn about it, but I can't just feign ignorance.

No, milady! You're not supposed to know that! You should have...

I should have what? Kept doing what was expected of me? Kept studying hard, and then rise to the upper class? As if!

I'm not some delicate flower, nor am I an ignorant little princess! I have something that I must do!

All of us have a responsibility to protect Siesta. You and I, and my father as well! None of us are bystanders!

You didn't want me to get involved in this in order to protect me, right?

No, I...

You're just like my father. Trying to dictate everything for me because it's 'for my own good,' but I don't think so!

So what if what I'm doing is dangerous? So what if you have a dark past?! Maybe I'll cry or be terrified or even be hurt by these things...

But if you ever say 'Ceylon, I need your help,' I'll always be there for you! No matter what you have to say, I'll always lend you my ear!

If we really are friends, then we should do that for each other. How can we be considered friends when you're the only one doing the giving?!

So, Schwarz, would you help me right now?

You asked me before why I'm doing this. And this is my answer...

So, would you give me your response, Schwarz? If what happened in the past is truly in the past, could you be my friend again, just like before?

Milady... I'm sorry. I'm sorry for what I've done and said. My actions have caused a misunderstanding between us that never should have happened...

Ah...

Milady, you are my friend. And you always have been.

...

Are you two still chit-chatting? What's the verdict? What's going on over there?

Milady, please tell me, what are we going to do next?

Huh? I, um... I'd like to spread the news about the impending Catastrophe through official channels.

Rhodes Island should be collecting evidence against Cronin as we speak, and he'll soon be kicked out of the City Council...

However, after the news gets out, the Obsidian Festival will have to be canceled, and Siesta will have to move...

Don't worry, milady.

R-really?

If that's what you desire, then I will support you.

Schwarz...

Milady, do you need me to protect you?

Mm, yes.

In that case, please take cover. It'll be over soon.

Schwarz, what are you doing? Are you disobeying Cronin's orders?

Orders? Support Cronin? That's just a disguise. Since the very beginning, I've only had two orders.

First, Master Doykos asked me to collect evidence against Cronin, including his secret manipulation of V3 Industries and his unauthorized harvesting of obsidian.

Now that the truth has come to light, the gig is up.

G-get them, quickly! Seize both of them, now!

As for the second order, you just heard it.

...Milady asked me to protect her.